Explore every episode of the podcast Creativity, Spirituality & Making a Buck with David Nichtern
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| Ep. 72 – AI and Consciousness: Can We Get Dharma on Demand? with Dr. Nikki Mirghafori | 23 Oct 2026 | 00:53:19 | |
AI scientist and Buddhist teacher Dr. Nikki Mirghafori explores the mystery of consciousness, the ethics (and limits) of AI, and the irreplaceable power of human connection. This time on the CSM Podcast, Dr. Nikki & David discuss:
“In our business, being held, being met by another conscious human being, it does something to your heart—you feel seen. Another bot, no matter how sycophantic it is or how it tries to make you feel seen, in the back of our minds we know we’re interacting with a bot.” –Dr. Nikki Mirghafori Check out some of Dharma Moon’s self-pased courses on Buddhism, mindfulness and more. About Dr. Nikki Mirghafori: Dr. Nikki Mirghafori is an Artificial Intelligence scientist and an internationally recognized Buddhist teacher. She serves as a Stewarding Teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, where she is also on the Board of Directors, and a Dharma Teacher at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, CA. She teaches with clarity and warmth on topics ranging from mindful leadership to cultivating kindness, with a rare expertise on mindfulness of death. Dr. Mirghafori is widely published in AI, has led international research collaborations as a Berkeley academic, and advised technology startups. She is of Persian heritage, an advocate for wisdom and compassion in daily life, as well as ethical AI in our zeitgeist. Learn more and connect via her website HERE. “Bringing it back to A.I. and consciousness, it’s a big question mark, it’s too naive to make predictions or assumptions one way or the other, we don’t even know what this thing is- this thing being alive, having consciousness, how can we describe it to this other thing that as a black box is spewing out patterns. I am open to being surprised, but conservative.” –Dr. Nikki Mirghafori See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 71 – Rigpa: Healing with the Nature of Mind w/ Loch Kelly | 08 Oct 2026 | 01:28:57 | |
Exploring Rigpa, the nature of mind, Loch Kelly and David Nichtern discuss transforming trauma through the love and presence inherently within us. This time on the CSM Podcast, Loch & David discuss:
“The nature of mind, rigpa, is necessary. If you look at the problem but you just deconstruct it without giving a new 'who', you don’t have an experience of now ‘who am I’ or ‘what has the capacity’. The nature of mind has the capacity more so than the small self to be with and even titrate unconscious material and trauma.” –Loch Kelly Sign up for Dharma Moon’s world-class 100-hour mindfulness meditation teacher training About Loch Kelly: Loch Kelly is the creator of the new groundbreaking meditation and wellness app, Mindful Glimpses. An award-winning author, psychotherapist, and non-dual meditation teacher, Loch is the founder of the nonprofit Effortless Mindfulness Institute. Loch has master’s degrees from both Columbia University and Union Theological, where he was awarded a traveling fellowship to Sri Lanka, India and Nepal. There, he trained with some of the great meditation masters of the modern era. Informed by modern neuroscience and psychology, Loch teaches Effortless Mindfulness, an ancient form of non-dual meditation. His nondual mindfulness talk on Sam Harris’s Waking Up app was the most-listened-to audio of the year. Loch has co-taught with IFS-Founder Dick Schwartz and collaborated with neuroscientists at Yale, UPenn, and NYU to study how awareness training can enhance compassion and well-being. He also worked as a community mental health professional in NYC for over 30 years. Loch is known for his unique practical methods and warm sense of humor. He has a talent for leading people to their true nature, which he frames as the next stage of human development. In the Mindful Glimpses app, Loch introduces Effortless Mindfulness through simple yet advanced micro-meditations. These short meditations open the door to well being, clarity, and compassion. Mindful Glimpses weaves together ancient non-dual practices, cutting-edge psychology, and neuroscience research. Keep up with Loch on his website. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 70 – Wake Up Sleepy Buddha with Noel Coakley and Victoria 'Vee' Wikler | 17 Sep 2026 | 01:21:48 | |
From wrathful love to Buddha-nature, Noel Coakley and Victoria ‘Vee’ Wikler discuss the next generation of Buddhism and waking up the ‘sleepy Buddha’ in us all. In this episode, Noel, Vee, and David explore:
Sign up for Dharma Moon’s world-class 100-hour mindfulness meditation teacher training About Victoria ‘Vee’ Wikler: Victoria B. Wikler (Vee) is a mindfulness meditation teacher, peer counselor, doula, tattoo artist & Thai-American witch. She has over 10 years of training in Mindfulness and Zen meditation, 6+ years of Tarot consulting experience, and expertise in supporting altered state experiences. Check out Vee on Instagram. About Noel Coakley: Noel is a mental health counselor (LMHC) with a Master's degree in Counseling from Lesley University and Special Education from UMass Boston. He is also a certified yoga instructor, supporting a holistic, mind & body approach to wellness. His experience from years as a special education teacher benefits his ability to support differentiated learning styles and needs. Noel has been practicing meditation since 1996, beginning initially with the Indo-Tibetan traditions and then the Yundrung Bön tradition since 2013. Over the years, Noel has been fortunate to learn from over 100 teachers, including HH the Dalai Lama and HH the 34th Menri Trizin. Noel recently authored the book Wake Up Sleepy Buddha, which provides a 600+ page, fully illustrated guide to Buddhist practice beyond mindfulness. Noel’s book bridges ancient wisdom, modern psychology, and everyday life. “We all feel weird and alienated when we’re in this story of not realizing our Buddha nature…but we’re just hidden from our Buddha nature. I think about this in my psychotherapy. Anybody I meet with, the task is: can I see their already perfectness, their level of being where nothing needs to be improved or changed?” – Noel Coakley See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 69 – Rude Awakenings: Walking the Buddhist Path with Samuel Bercholz | 27 Aug 2026 | 01:17:08 | |
Founder of Shambhala Publications, Samuel Bercholz, reflects on a lifetime of dharma and encourages us to challenge our often distorted perceptions of reality. Check out Dharma Moon’s free online talk this September, Light & Shadow on the Spiritual Path. This time on the CSM podcast, Samuel and David explore:
Sign up for Dharma Moon’s world-class 100-hour mindfulness meditation teacher training and join Dharma Moon this fall to learn about The Business of Teaching Meditation. About Samuel Bercholz: Sam Bercholz is the founder of Shambhala Publications, one of the leading independent publishers of Buddhist and Eastern spiritual literature. He started the company in Berkeley in the late 1960s and later moved it to Boulder, Colorado, where it grew into a major publishing house for authors like Chögyam Trungpa and Pema Chödrön. A senior teacher in the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, Bercholz studied closely with both Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, who empowered him to teach dharma. He has taught Buddhist philosophy and meditation across North America, Europe, and Australasia for over forty years, and is also the author of the new book, Rude Awakenings: An Unconventional Guide to the Buddhist Path. “The way I perceive and most humans perceive is 180 degrees from the way things actually are. For the most part, we live in a fantasy world of make-believe, and we believe it.” –Samuel Bercholz See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 68 – Don’t Waste Your Suffering: Joseph Goldstein on Inner Investigation and Awakening | 13 Aug 2026 | 01:09:41 | |
Reflecting on a lifetime of practice, Joseph Goldstein explores how an intimate investigation of suffering can open the doorway to liberation. Join Dharma Moon for a free online talk Key Elements of Teaching Mindfulness Meditation In this week’s episode, Joseph and David explore:
Join Dharma Moon this fall to learn about The Business of Teaching Meditation. About Joseph Goldstein: Joseph Goldstein has been leading insight and loving-kindness meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. He is a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, where he is one of the organization’s guiding teachers. In 1989, together with several other teachers and students of insight meditation, he helped establish the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. Check out Joseph’s podcast on Be Here Now Network or one of his numerous books. “When my mind is distressed in some way or other, it piques my interest. I want to understand what the cause of the suffering is. That’s a little different than enduring it until we get to a happier place; it’s using the suffering as fuel and as the impotence to investigate.” –Joseph Goldstein See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 67 – Building Resilience Through Dharma Practice with Trudy Goodman | 01 Aug 2026 | 01:09:12 | |
Honoring both psychological and spiritual work, Trudy Goodman explores how she built resilience through years of dharma practice. Join Dharma Moon for two, free online talks: How To Make a Living Teaching Meditation and Key Elements of Teaching Mindfulness Meditation In this week’s episode, Trudy and David explore:
“To come back to resilience, I really credit the dharma. I think through meditation and dharma practice, we open our consciousness, our hearts, our awareness.” –Trudy Goodman Join Dharma Moon this fall to learn about The Business of Teaching Meditation. About Trudy Goodman: Trudy Goodman, PH.D., is the founding teacher of InsightLA and cofounder of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. She has taught at universities and retreat centers worldwide for over 40 years. Trudy has trained in Insight meditation and Zen since 1973, holds a graduate degree in developmental psychology from Harvard, and was one of the first teachers of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction with Jon Kabat-Zinn. She is a senior Buddhist teacher in the U.S., a faculty member at Blue Spirit Costa Rica and a psychotherapist who is widely known for her role as the voice of Trudy the Love Barbarian in the Netflix series "Midnight Gospel”. Trudy is a contributing author: Clinical Handbook of Mindfulness (Springer, 2008); Compassion and Wisdom in Psychotherapy, (Guilford Press, 2011); Mindfulness and Psychotherapy, (Guilford Press, 2013). Learn more about Trudy at TrudyGoodman.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 66– Total Eclipse of the Mind with Andrew Holecek | 07 Jul 2026 | 01:20:27 | |
Contemplative Scholar Andrew Holecek joins David Nichtern to delve into the powerful practices of dark retreat, bardo yoga, and dream yoga. Grab a copy of Andrew’s book, Total Eclipse of the Mind, to discover more about the power of darkness for creativity, healing, and transformation. In this episode, Andrew and David explore:
Join Dharma Moon to learn about The Business of Teaching Meditation About Andrew Holecek: Andrew Holecek is an interdisciplinary scholar-practitioner in Tibetan Buddhism and other nondual wisdom traditions. He is the Resident Contemplative Scholar at the Institute for Advanced Consciousness Studies, and a research consultant for the Cognitive Neuroscience Program at Northwestern University. His work involves studies on dream yoga and the practice of dark retreat. Dr. Holecek is a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the author of nine books, and a concert pianist. He has completed the Tibetan Buddhist three-year retreat and is a frequent subject in scientific studies on meditation and lucid dreaming. His work integrates ancient wisdom traditions with contemporary perspectives, aiming to help individuals navigate spiritual challenges and end-of-life experiences. He is currently writing two books on dark retreat. Holecek holds degrees in classical music, biology, and a doctorate in dental surgery. Learn about his upcoming retreat events. “I have died so many times with psychedelic experiences, with extended meditations; I’ve been doing dark retreat for 30 years. This is what dark retreat is largely about; it’s fundamentally a bardo yoga designed to bring about highly concordant experiences with the death process.” –Andrew Holecek See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 65 – Dealing with Perfectionism with M.J. Schwartz | 19 Jun 2026 | 01:01:07 | |
M.J. Schwartz explores how to meet perfectionism with mindfulness and heal the cultural messages that keep us striving for impossible standards. Help us celebrate 10 years of Be Here Now Network and support the next chapter of Ram Dass Here and Now. Gifts are matched dollar for dollar through June 30. Learn more and give here: BHNN 10th Birthday Fundraiser In this episode, David and M.J. chat about:
Join Dharma Moon’s for their Body of Meditation Training or learn about The Business of Teaching Meditation About M.J. Schwartz: M.J. Schwartz is the founder of Studio138 Family Yoga and Mindfulness. Having started practicing yoga and mindfulness at age twelve, M.J. is passionate about sharing these modalities with families of all stages and configurations. As a parent and grandparent themselves, they understand the nuances of a practice that evolves alongside life's many changes. M.J. holds a B.A. in psychology from Smith College, where they studied perfectionism with a leading researcher in the field, along with certifications in mindfulness, yoga, and Intuitive Eating. Before returning to school in midlife, they worked as a doula, childbirth educator, and midwife, and continue to teach pregnancy and postpartum classes that blend mindfulness with evidence-based information. Check out M.J. on Substack. “Other-oriented perfectionism goes hand in glove with self-oriented perfectionism. If a parent is hyper-perfectionistic, there is a chance that they are then very hard on their children.“ –M.J. Schwartz See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 64 – Annette Knopp is a Mystic Nomad | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:59:47 | |
With both insight and vulnerability, Author Annette Knopp explores how our earliest attachment experiences shape the way we love, relate, and walk in this world. Help us celebrate 10 years of Be Here Now Network and preserve the complete Ram Dass Here and Now archive. Gifts are matched dollar for dollar through June 30. Give here: BHNN 10th Birthday Fundraiser In this episode, David and Annette chat about:
Join Dharma Moon’s for their 100-hour course on teaching mindfulness meditation or for a course on meditation and embodied wisdom About Annette Knopp: Annette Knopp is the author of Mystic Nomad: A Woman's Wild Journey to True Connection and co-founder of Blue Spirit Retreat Center in Costa Rica. A meditation teacher, somatic educator, and nature mystic rooted in 30 years of personal contemplative practice, she weaves Indo-Tibetan meditation, Andean earth-based practices, and modern Western approaches to trauma resolution into transformative teaching and mentorship. Her work bridges ancient wisdom and contemporary healing in service of human dignity, wholeness, and embodied connection. Grab a copy of Annette’s book, Mystic Nomad: A Woman's Wild Journey to True Connection, or join her in Costa Rica for an upcoming retreat. “These imprints are laid down in phases before we have the brain development to have even a narrative around it. When we work in trauma with people, it’s all about making what has been implicit, explicit.” –Annette Knopp See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 63 –The Art of War for Modern Life with Jim Gimian | 26 May 2026 | 01:13:53 | |
Student of The Art of War, Jim Gimian, shares how we can relate constructively to conflict and win without fighting. In this episode, David and Jim have a conversation about:
Check out Jim Gimian's course, Rules of Victory, to learn about leadership strategies for today’s challenges from The Art of War. You can also inquire about getting personalized coaching from him! Join Dharma Moon’s for their 100-hour course on teaching mindfulness meditation About Jim Gimian: James Gimian has been studying and teaching The Art of War (the Sun Tzu Bing Fa) since 1980. He served as the general editor of the best-selling translation The Art of War: The Denma Translation (2001) which received critical acclaim from military officers, business leaders, and Asian Studies scholars. Gimian followed that with The Rules of Victory: How to Transform Chaos and Conflict—Strategies from the Art of War (2008), co-authored with Barry Boyce. Gimian has been presenting lessons from the Art of War to business and non-profit leaders in North America, Australia, and Europe since 1985. His work takes the form of seminars, leadership training programs, consulting, and coaching. The core of this work is presenting the text’s profound strategic thought in clear, simple, and accessible training that enables today’s leaders to employ these tools in their work and lives amidst the challenges of an increasingly complex and uncertain world. Gimian has served in leadership roles in the magazine and book publishing industry since 1972, including stints at Shambhala Publications, publisher of Lion’s Roar magazine, and most recently founding publisher of Mindful magazine and Mindful.org, a media launch in 2012 that has grown to reach over 2 million people per month. Gimian also founded Trident Booksellers and Café in Boulder, Colorado in 1980, which continues to serve as an employee-owned community institution. He became a student of the Venerable Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in the early 1970s and has continued the practice and study of the dharma since that time. Gimian currently serves as the Executive Director of the Foundation for a Mindful Society. “The problem with complex systems to fix things is you never have time to go back and read the manual when shit hits the fan. That’s why this work has to be at the level of being, not at the level of learning tricks because they’re like bandages, they’re going to fall off. You’re only going to respond with whatever is integrated into your being as a way of seeing the world and acting and being in the world.“ –Jim Gimian See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 62 – MindHeart AI: Technology for Collective Healing with Dr. Sará King and Kierstin Gray | 05 May 2026 | 01:13:33 | |
Dr. Sará King and Kierstin Gray join The CSM Podcast to discuss their tech company, MindHeart AI, which uses an interactive map of human awareness for personal health and planetary well-being. MindHeart AI is a liberatory technology company centering the neuroscience of well being as a catalyst for intergenerational planetary healing. Utilizing the Systems Based Awareness Map, the world’s first interactive map of human awareness, they are building a scalable, equitable platform combined with experiences that they call MindHeart Activations - in person events that support collective healing through combining culturally relevant forms of somatics, contemplative practices, land-based rituals and retreats, music and art. MindHeart AI is designed to create an infrastructure of care as a loving response to the rising loneliness, stress, isolation and depression experienced across the world. In this episode, David, Sará and Kierstin:
Join Dharma Moon’s for a free online talk about embodied wisdom on Thursday May 14th or sign up for their 100-hour course on teaching mindfulness meditation About Dr. Sará King: Dr. Sará King is a Mother, a neuroscientist, political and learning scientist, medical anthropologist, social entrepreneur, public speaker, and certified yoga and meditation instructor. She is an internationally recognized thought leader in the interdisciplinary field that examines the relationship between complementary alternative medicine, social justice, art, and mindfulness from the perspective of neuroscience. Dr. King is the co-founder of MindHeart AI. Keep up with Dr. King on Instagram or HERE About Kierstin Gray: Kierstin Grey is the program director at Argodesign and the co-founder of MindHeart AI. She is a consultant specializing in using technology and service design thinking principles to bring about transformative change for her clients. She has designed a framework that centers around the building of narratives that use existing talents and skills within an organization to enable innovative change to resolve business problems. Combined with the best practices of design and delivery, she helps businesses implement products and projects that meet their business objectives and cultivate deeper and more efficient engagement with customers. “If we’re confused, AI is going to be confused. That’s the reason why it's important for us to be clear on who we are, what we believe, who we value, how we love, how we relate to each other—those things influence how we design emergent technologies like AI.” –Kierstin Gray See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 61 – The Gift of a Broken Heart with Bryan Welch | 10 Apr 2026 | 01:06:23 | |
Author and executive Bryan Welch shares how the grief of losing his child profoundly reshaped his heart, deepening his capacity for connection and compassion toward others. Grab a copy of Bryan’s book, The Gift of a Broken Heart, HERE In this episode, David and Bryan chat about:
Sign up for Dharma Moon’s upcoming 8-week Buddhist Psychology Course HERE. About Bryan Welch: Bryan Welch is an author, business executive, farmer, and entrepreneur. For nineteen years, from its founding, he ran Ogden Publications, Mother Earth News, Mother Earth Living, Utne Reader, and several other leading media brands focused on sustainability and natural health. More recently, he served as co-CEO of Silk Grass Holdings, a family office developing 32,000 acres of regenerative organic farms and wildlife preserves in Belize. He was founder and CEO of B The Change Media, a multiplatform media company focused on business as a force for good in the world; and was CEO of Mindful Communications, a media and corporate meditation-training company; and CEO of Foster Care Technologies, a B Corporation that provides software that improves placements of children in foster care. Welch has served on the boards of the Silk Grass Farms, the Magazine Publishers Association, the Social Venture Network, Down Home Ranch Foundation, and several nonprofits. He has also served on corporate boards of directors and advisory boards of companies involved in natural foods, agriculture, food processing, e-commerce, corporate training, and the media. He holds a master’s degree from Harvard University, where he studied at the Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Business School. As a Buddhist, Welch is a longtime meditator and advocate for mindfulness practices. Keep up with Bryan on Facebook and check out thegiftofabrokenheart.com. “I spent some energy over the course of my life separating myself psychologically from the suffering from others, from the potential for my own suffering, and when I was up against it, I didn’t have those reasons to separate myself any longer. I felt a new sense of kinship with other people who were suffering. It occurred to me that as part of the healing, I wanted to see if I could preserve the new warmth I felt, the new openheartedness I felt. When your child dies of mental illness and addiction, you don’t want the pain and turmoil to be their legacy.” –Bryan Welch See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 60 – Bringing Stories to Life with Animator-Producers Jonathan and Miya Eden | 04 Nov 2025 | 00:55:09 | |
Blending creativity, business, and parenthood, Jonathan and Miya Eden join David Nichtern to discuss bringing stories to life through animation. Today’s podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. In this episode, David, Jonathan and Miya explore:
About Jonathan and Miya Eden: With a degree in Character Animation from the California Institute of Arts (CalArts 2012) Jonathan Eden has over a decade of rich experience in the field of Animation. Working currently as an Animator for Comedy Central's Emmy-winning South Park, Jonathan has a history of prestigious work from large networks which include Disney, Hasbro, and HBO; as well as animating projects for the New York Times, Thom Browne, and Cubcoats. Miya, a professional dancer, choreographer, and director, came together with Jonathan to help create quality animation content for Strawberry Moons Media. You can learn more about Jonathan and Miya’s other creative projects, HERE at Nobody Couple Studios. Check out Strawberry Moons Media on YouTube, where you can find access to entertainment with meaning, mindful living tips, and mindful lessons for children. About David Nichtern: David Nichtern, founder of Dharma Moon, is a senior Buddhist teacher who has been practicing and teaching meditation for over 40 years. He was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. He is also a business consultant with companies creating a variety of offerings, integrating meditation in a larger health and well-being context. David is also a multiple Grammy-nominated and Emmy Award-winning musician. David’s journey has crisscrossed with the Maharaji/Ram Dass sangha for decades. He has produced multiple Krishna Das albums and frequently joins the Bhaktettes live on guitar. He considers himself to be a first cousin and an honorary member of the Bhakti community. “For me, creativity is about expressing yourself and your unique view and doing it in a way that can bring either joy or entertainment to others. Seeing people react to something I’ve animated or a drawing is a great feeling, it’s something you’ve uniquely created with your perspective that no one else can do.” –Jonathan Eden See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 59 – Strawberry Moons: A New Kind of Media with Debbie Nutley | 02 Oct 2025 | 00:28:27 | |
Discussing their newest project, Strawberry Moons Media, David Nichtern and Debbie Nutley get into how they truly merged creativity with spirituality and ‘making a buck’. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This time on the CSM Podcast, David and Debbie share about:
Check out Strawberry Moons Media on YouTube, where you can find access to entertainment with meaning, mindful living tips, and mindful lessons for children. You can also keep up with Strawberry Moons on Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok. About Debbie Nutley: Debbie Nutley is an award-winning children's picture book author, certified meditation instructor and trained to teach mindfulness to children. Her picture books, Pengwee's Breath and Ruby's Heart Song, both contain engaging stories involving two adorable and best friend penguins. Each story weaves lessons of mindfulness and social-emotional learning. Always finding inspiration in music, Debbie collaborated with composer and songwriter Wells Hanley to create a musical rendition of the signature song embedded in the story of Ruby's Heart Song. Debbie has a large extended family with a cadre of kids. Eons ago, Debbie was an accomplished attorney and human resources leader. Then she sat still for a moment, took a few mindful breaths, and forged a path of purpose-driven and creative endeavors. Keep up with Debbie on her Instagram and learn more about her books on her website. “The whole reason why I decided to publish children’s books about mindfulness, and Pengwee and Ruby are these adorable, mindful, heart-centered penguins, they’re best friends, the whole reason I did it is because I thought it would be great for kids to learn about mindfulness at a young age. That it would be a better world if every kid knew about this stuff.” –Debbie Nutley About David Nichtern: David Nichtern, founder of Dharma Moon, is a senior Buddhist teacher who has been practicing and teaching meditation for over 40 years. He was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. He is also a business consultant with companies creating a variety of offerings integrating meditation in a larger health and well-being context. David is also a multiple Grammy-nominated and Emmy Award-winning musician. David’s journey has crisscrossed with the Maharaji/Ram Dass sangha for decades. He has produced multiple Krishna Das albums and frequently joins the Bhaktettes live on guitar. He considers himself to be a first cousin and an honorary member of the Bhakti community. Move from practitioner to teacher via Dharma Moon’s 100-Hour Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training,or, consider a year long Buddhist Studies certificate with Ethan Nichtern. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 58 – Bringing Depth to Our Lives with Emily Esfahani Smith | 06 Aug 2025 | 00:52:00 | |
Dissecting the process of her book, The Power of Meaning, Emily Esfahani Smith joins David to explore bringing depth to our lives via belonging, purpose, transcendence, and storytelling. Pick up Emily's book, The Power of Meaning, HERE. This time on the CSM Podcast, David and Emily discuss:
Start your journey from meditation practitioner to meditation guide via Dharma Moon’s course, Deepening Your Practice to Teach or step on into their 100-Hour Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training. About Emily Esfahani Smith: Emily Esfahani Smith is the author of The Power of Meaning. A psychotherapist and writer, her articles have appeared in The Atlantic, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. Her TED Talk, 'There's more to life than being happy,' has been viewed over 15 million times." Learn more on Emily’s website. “The more I got into the research, the more that I saw that maybe it’s not happiness that we should be pursuing and glorifying, but maybe it’s this concept of leading a meaningful life.” – Emily Esfahani Smith About David Nichtern: David Nichtern, founder of Dharma Moon, is a senior Buddhist teacher who has been practicing and teaching meditation for over 40 years. He was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. He is also a business consultant with companies creating a variety of offerings integrating meditation in a larger health and well-being context. David is also a multiple Grammy-nominated and Emmy Award-winning musician. David’s journey has crisscrossed with the Maharaji/Ram Dass sangha for decades. He has produced multiple Krishna Das albums and frequently joins the Bhaktettes live on guitar. He considers himself to be a first cousin and an honorary member of the Bhakti community. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 57 – Bhakti & Buddhism: The Heart and Mind of Practice with Krishna Das | 03 Jul 2025 | 00:53:02 | |
Blending together Bhakti and Buddhism, best of friends Krishna Das and David Nichtern discuss the gradual cultivation of practice and finding your ‘niche’ within the dharma. Join the Wisdom & Wellbeing Week 1 Intensive with Krishna Das & Nina Rao | January 3 - 10, 2026 | Click to Learn More This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. In this episode, David and Krishna Das thoughtfully explore:
About Krishna Das: Layering traditional Hindu kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Grammy nominee Krishna Das has been called yoga’s “rock star.” With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling chant artist of all time. His album ‘Live Ananda’ (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category. KD spent the late ’60s traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass’ own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji. Krishna Das now travels the world sharing his kirtan practice and wonderful stories of his life, of Maharaji-ji, of his life on the Path and discusses bringing chanting into our lives through retreats and workshops. To date, KD has released 15 well-received albums, most recently Trust in the Heart released in October 2017. Join Krishna Das in Boone, North Carolina this August for the fourth annual Ram Dass Legacy Summer Mountain Retreat. MORE INFORMATION and OFFERINGS VISIT: https://krishnadas.com/ KRISHNA DAS ON SOCIAL: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/KrishnaDasMusic INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/krishnadasmusic YOUTUBE: / krishnadasmusic X: @krishnadas #KrishnaDas About David Nichtern: David Nichtern, founder of Dharma Moon, is a senior Buddhist teacher who has been practicing and teaching meditation for over 40 years. He was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. He is also a business consultant with companies creating a variety of offerings integrating meditation in a larger health and well-being context. David is also a multiple Grammy-nominated and Emmy award-winning musician. David’s journey has crisscrossed with the Maharaji/Ram Dass sangha for decades. He has produced multiple Krishna Das albums and frequently joins the Bhaktettes live on guitar. He considers himself to be a first cousin and honorary member of the Bhakti community. Head over to DharmaMoon to sign up for The Body of Meditation Teacher Training Course, starting July 10th, 2025. “There’s not spiritual life and worldly life, there’s just your life—you’ve got to live it. If you don’t develop some inner strength, will, and direction in daily things, when you sit down on the mat it’s not going to be any different. How you sit is how you live, and how you live is how you sit.” – Krishna Das See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 56 – Social Action & Misplaced Faith with Sharon Salzberg | 12 Jun 2025 | 01:05:29 | |
Old friends Sharon Salzberg and David Nichtern meet to discuss the calamity of misplaced faith and the expansion that can come from individualized social action. Join Sharon's Upcoming Course with Tricycle to uncover your Buddhist Personality Type This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This week on the CSM podcast, David and Sharon have a thought-provoking conversation about:
Sign up for Dharma Moon’s Summer 100-Hour Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Course with David Nichtern, starting June 13th. Or, for a shortened version, join Dharma Moon for an Introductory Weekend Course on the Path of Meditation and Mindfulness. About Sharon Salzberg: Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She is one of the first to bring mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation to mainstream American culture over 45 years ago, inspiring generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. Sharon is co-founder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and the author of twelve books, including the New York Times bestseller, Real Happiness, now in its second edition, and her seminal work, Lovingkindness. Her podcast, The Metta Hour, has amassed five million downloads and features interviews with thought leaders from the mindfulness movement and beyond. Learn more about Sharon and her books at www.sharonsalzberg.com About David Nichtern: David Nichtern, founder of Dharma Moon, is a senior Buddhist teacher who has been practicing and teaching meditation for over 40 years. He was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. He is also a business consultant with companies creating a variety of offerings integrating meditation in a larger health and well-being context. David is also a multiple Grammy-nominated and Emmy award-winning musician. David’s journey has crisscrossed with the Maharaji/Ram Dass sangha for decades. He has produced multiple Krishna Das albums and frequently joins the Bhaktettes live on guitar. He considers himself to be a first cousin and honorary member of the Bhakti community. "There's this saying going around that action absorbs anxiety. If you're feeling really anxious, uptight, take action. Action might not mean marching, signing a petition, or vocalizing, it may mean helping your neighbor." – Sharon Salzberg See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 55 – An Intimate Look at the Heart Sutra with Susan Piver | 22 May 2025 | 01:09:43 | |
Meditation teacher, Susan Piver, joins David Nichtern to share her profound and ever-evolving connection to The Heart Sutra. Learn about the heart and mind of practice with David Nichtern and Krishna Das in an upcoming free online talk! Register HERE. In this episode, David Nichtern and Susan Piver explore:
About Susan Piver: Susan Piver has an international reputation as an exceptionally skillful meditation teacher. She teaches workshops and speaks on mindfulness, innovation, communication, relationships, and creativity. Susan has been a student of Buddhism since 1995, graduated from a Buddhist seminary in 2004, and was authorized to teach meditation in 2005. In 2012, she founded The Open Heart Project, the world’s largest online-only meditation center. Susan is also a New York Times bestselling author. Her most recent book, Inexplicable Joy: On the Heart Sutra, is now available. You can keep up with Susan on Instagram or on her website. Join Susan for a 10-day Heart Sutra meditation retreat this August, 2025 “Emptiness sounds like everything’s dead, but empty doesn’t mean that. It means empty of separate existence. You are here due to causes and conditions. You did not get here in a space capsule. So, emptiness could be expressed more accurately as the great expanse, fullness, complete fullness.” – Susan Piver See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 54 – Seven Sorrows of the New Saint: Getting Real About Obstacles on the Spiritual Path with Lama Rod Owens | 01 Oct 2024 | 01:21:02 | |
Facing the obstacles on a spiritual path, Lama Rod Owens, David Nichtern, and Michael Kammers, discuss the seven sorrows of the new saint. Grab Lama Rod’s new book, The New Saints: From Broken Hearts to Spiritual Warriors In this episode, David, Michael and Lama Rod chat about:
About Lama Rod Owens: Lama Rod Owens is a Black Buddhist Southern Queen. An international influencer with a Master of Divinity degree in Buddhist Studies from Harvard Divinity School with a focus on the intersection of social change, identity, and spiritual practice. Author of Love and Rage: The Path of Liberation through Anger and co-author of Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love and Liberation, his teachings center on freedom, self-expression, and radical self-care. Highly sought after for talks, retreats, and workshops, his mission is showing you how to heal and free yourself. A leading voice in a new generation of Buddhist teachers with over 11 years of experience, Lama Rod is highly respected among his peers and the communities that he serves. From these intersections, he creates a platform that’s very natural, engaging, and inclusive. For current offerings and programs, click here. “The whole project of The New Saints was to delve into the frustrations of paradox, of contradictions. One of the things that deepens our suffering is our attempt to make everything make sense. That’s how we get trapped in delusion, trying to make it make sense when instead we are trying to transcend it.” – Lama Rod Owens See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 53 – The Four Powers of Confidence with Ethan Nichtern | 19 Jun 2024 | 01:05:06 | |
Exploring the themes in his new book, Confidence, Ethan Nichtern chats with his dad, David, about vulnerability, truth, and the state of the world. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. In this episode, David and Ethan speak about:
Check out these on-demand online courses from David Nichtern and an upcoming course from Ethan Nichtern based around his new book HERE. About Ethan Nichtern: Ethan Nichtern is a Buddhist teacher, and is the author of the acclaimed book The Road Home: A Contemporary Exploration of the Buddhist Path, which was selected as one of Library Journal’s Best Books of 2015, and one of Tech Insider’s “9 Books That Define 2015.” He also wrote The Dharma of The Princess Bride: What The Coolest Fairy Tale of Our Time Can Teach Us About Buddhism and Relationships and most recently, Confidence: Holding Your Seat through Life’s Eight Worldly Winds. For the past 20+ years, Ethan has taught meditation and Buddhist psychology classes and workshops around New York City and North America and Europe, along with working with students privately. He has primarily studied in the Shambhala and other Tibetan traditions, but has also studied Theravadan and Soto Zen Buddhism. He is also an avid yoga practitioner. He served as Shastri, or Senior Teacher-In-Residence, for the Shambhala Meditation Center of New York, from 2010-2018. Continue listening to Ethan on his podcast, The Road Home. “I think there is a compassion element to genuine confidence where you’re using your own confidence to light other people’s candle.” – Ethan Nichtern See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 52 – The Intersection of Love and Awareness with Rhonda V. Magee | 01 May 2024 | 01:04:42 | |
Highlighting the intersection between love and awareness, Rhonda V. Magee joins David to discuss real change in a culture of separation. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/beherenow and get on your way to being your best self. This time on the CSM podcast, David and Rhonda converse about:
Join David Nichtern for a free online talk on teaching mindfulness and the role of the teacher, Tuesday, May 28th, 2024 at 6:00 PM: FREE ONLINE TALK About Rhonda V. Magee: Rhonda V. Magee is a Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco and a leading mindfulness teacher and practice innovator with a focus on applying mindfulness to the hardest challenges of our times. She is an internationally-recognized teacher, guide and mentor, focused on integrating mindfulness into higher education, law and social change work. A prolific author, she draws on law and legal history to weave storytelling, poetry, analysis and practices into inspiration for changing how we think, act and live better together in a rapidly changing world. Keep up with Rhonda on her website or on social media. “I fully believe, for most of us, especially in the West, grounding in a quality of love and care as how we experience awareness is pretty important because we have so much healing to do. We’ve been so alienated from ourselves, each other, from the planet.” – Rhonda V. Magee See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 51 – Eternalism and A.I. with Ramin Nazer | 05 Apr 2024 | 01:24:34 | |
Ramin Nazer and David Nichtern explore the individual’s place in an ever-changing and technologically-advancing world. Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenow This time on CSM, we hear about:
About Ramin Nazer: Ramin Nazer is a multi-talented artist, podcaster, comedian, game creator and musician based out of LA. He is best known for his consistent stream of unique, psychedelic-spiritual, bite-sized art for the social media age, as well as his podcast, with comedian Shane Mauss, Mind Under Matter, where they take a hilarious and scientific approach to human behavior. You can tap into Ramin’s steady flow of art on his Instagram, tap into his solo podcast Rainbow Brainskull, and peer into his myriad offerings at RaminNazer.com. “According to Buddhism, the solution is you maintain your status as a human being who has ups and downs, who has lungs, and disappointments, yet there’s a seed of real depth of wisdom and understanding and compassion in it. You bypass the God realms.” – David Nichtern See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 50 – A Mindful Approach to Panic with Dan Harris | 15 Mar 2024 | 01:03:38 | |
Discussing his experience with panic attacks, Dan Harris describes the tools that have helped him move from resistance to acceptance. Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenow In this episode, David and Dan dive into: How Dan went from experiencing panic attacks to finding meditation Dan’s definition of happiness Stabilizing our well-being The compounding effect of meditation practice Navigating difficult external experiences Working on a loving-kindness practice Pith instructions from spiritual teachers Allowing feelings instead of resisting The fear of death and all pervasive suffering Temporal experiences and observing the pause of time Impermanence and not taking everything so seriously Equanimity and looking at our emotions as passing weather Grab your copy of the 10th-anniversary edition of Dan's book, 10% Happier, HERE to learn more about the benefits of meditation in his life. About Dan Harris: Dan Harris is an author, podcaster, and a retired American journalist for ABC News. He was an anchor for Nightline and co-anchor of the weekend edition of Good Morning America. After an on-air panic attack, Dan dedicated himself to meditation and spreading the word about its benefits. His “10% Happier” podcasts feature interviews with other meditators. Dan’s book, 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Really Works – a True Story, was published in March 2014. “Panic is just a set of physical sensations, which as a panic sufferer, I have experienced countless times and always survived. So, it’s okay, just let it go. Let the sensations be there, it’s okay to feel it. What is making it worse is my resistance to it.” – Dan Harris See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 49 – The Mind-Body Interplay with Dr. Sarà King | 28 Dec 2023 | 01:21:05 | |
Examining the interplay between mind and body, neuroscientist Dr. Sarà King and David Nichtern talk trauma, dream-work, and the sense of self. David and Dr. Sarà traverse these topics:
“There is this real delicate dance and interplay that’s happening between the mind and the body to construct a sense of self, me, I, at any given moment.” – Dr. Sará King About Dr. Sará King: Dr. Sará King is a UCLA-trained neuroscientist, political and learning scientist, social entrepreneur, public speaker, and yoga and mindfulness meditation instructor. She has over 20 years of experience as a research scientist, and specializes in the study of the relationship between mindfulness, complementary alternative medicine, and social justice. She is the scientific consultant for Peace in Schools, a dharma teacher with Presence Collective, a Postdoctoral Fellow in Neurology, and the founder of MindHeart Consulting, a scientific consultancy offering seminars, research and development, and trauma healing circles. Keep up with Dr. King on Instagram or HERE Join Ethan Nichtern and Shelly Tygielski on January 9th for a free online event: "Right Livelihood: What Capitalism Can Learn From Buddhism" See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 48 – The Relative and The Absolute with Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson | 28 Nov 2023 | 01:17:21 | |
Focusing on the relative and absolute, Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson and David Nichtern explore mindfulness, mysticism, and more. David and Jay spend this episode discussing: - Jay’s interdisciplinary background and seizing the day - Mindfulness and Jewish mysticism - Spiritual and Sensual Exploration - Relying on a joyful state of mind - The intersection of psychedelics and spirituality - The sweet spot between contemplative practice and engaged activism - Economics, politics, and the elites - Bliss states and relative experiences - Neurodiversity and the Enneagram - Generational shifts of awareness Already downloaded by over 15k people, visit dharmamoon.com/ebook to get YOUR free copy of The Art of Teaching Mindfulness! “In my actual life, having those relative experiences enables me to touch into the absolute in the midst of daily life. That’s especially true with the dharmic use of psychedelics. The experience itself, especially if it’s a long experience, has its own teaching, and it’s possible to train the mind to remember.” – Rabbi Dr. Jay Michaelson See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 47 – We Were Made for These Times with Kaira Jewel Lingo | 09 Nov 2023 | 01:01:21 | |
Mindfulness teacher, Kaira Jewel Lingo, chats with David Nichtern about the power of spiritual community and self-assessment. Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenow In this episode, David and Kaira discuss:
“There needs to be inner work for outer work to really have an impact.” – Kaira Jewel Lingo Discover the transformative practice of teaching mindfulness in a new FREE 30-page ebook by Senior Buddhist teacher and Emmy award-winning musician, David Nichtern. With its blend of humor, wisdom, and accessible approach, The Art of Teaching Mindfulness ebook is a must-read for anyone interested in sharing the life-changing practices of mindfulness with others. Already downloaded by over 15k people, visit dharmamoon.com/ebook to get YOUR free copy of The Art of Teaching Mindfulness! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 46 – Joining Heaven and Earth | 18 Aug 2023 | 00:33:02 | |
David Nichtern explores how mindfulness meditation is the primary tool on our journey of joining Heaven and Earth, which are our highest aspirations and our day-to-day practicalities. This episode is taken from one of David’s Dharma Moon Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training sessions. The Intro to Mindfulness and the Path of Meditation program, which serves as the foundation for the next Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training, begins on October 13th. To learn more, register now for a free online talk, Teaching Mindfulness Meditation and the Role of the Teacher, with David Nichtern and Robert Thurman on Tuesday, August 22nd. Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenow In this episode, David explores:
“Earth is nothing but obstacles, actually, from the point of view of Heaven. It’s just a clump of obstacles. But from the point of view of joining Heaven and Earth, it’s a clump of obstacles that actually can be manifested as opportunities for joining Heaven and Earth.” – David Nichtern About David Nichtern: David Nichtern, founder of Dharma Moon, is a senior Buddhist teacher who has been practicing and teaching meditation for over 40 years. He was one of the initial American students of renowned meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and studied closely with him soon after his arrival in the United States in 1970. He is also a business consultant with companies creating a variety of offerings integrating meditation in a larger health and well-being context. David is also a multiple Grammy-nominated and Emmy award-winning musician. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 45 – In Tune with Richard Wolf | 08 Aug 2023 | 01:18:48 | |
David is joined by Emmy Award-winning composer, author, multi-Platinum record producer and songwriter Richard Wolf for a conversation about music, mindfulness, and success. Join David Nichtern and Robert Thurman on Tuesday, August 22nd to discuss teaching meditation and find out more about Dharma Moon and Tibet House's renowned mindfulness meditation teacher training: FREE ONLINE TALK In this episode, Richard joins David to discuss:
Links From This Episode: “It’s not about your ego when you’re making music. It’s not about you. It’s about the music. If you’re trying to perform, you want to just have the best performance possible. If you’re writing music, you just want to take the song where the song wants to go. You want to help it go. It’s not about your self-referential agenda; it’s about the music. It’s not about you, and so you’re transcending yourself.” – Richard Wolf About Richard Wolf: Richard “Wolfie” Wolf is an Emmy Award ™ winning composer, multi-Platinum RIAA awarded record producer and songwriter, teacher and noted author. Wolf is on the faculty of The University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music where he teaches a class on “Music & Mindfulness” which was the first course at a university level to explore the special relationship between the two practices. His book “In Tune: Music As The Bridge To Mindfulness” is acclaimed as an innovative guide to contemplative practices for musical people and was the inspiration for his podcast “Wolf In Tune”. The book was written up in The New Yorker, Parade Magazine, Mindful Magazine, Mashable, Spirituality & Health and others. Learn more about Richard at richardwolf.net. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 44 – Professional Wrestling and the Middle Way with Matt Sydal | 22 Jun 2023 | 01:04:38 | |
Matt Sydal joins David to talk about wisdom gained through imperfection, and how professional wrestling connects to the Middle Way. Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenow In this episode, Matt joins David to discuss:
“Wrestling is like meditation, you can do it in any language.” – Matt Sydal About Matt Sydal: Matthew Joseph “Matt” Korklan , also known by the ring name Matt Sydal, is an American professional wrestler. Between 2000 and 2007, Korklan wrestled on the independent circuit, for promotions including NWA Midwest, IWA-Mid South, and Ring of Honor, winning both singles and tag team championships. He also wrestled for the short-lived Wrestling Society X and was featured on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling’s early pay-per-view events. In 2011, he formed an alliance with Kofi Kingston, known as Air Boom, and they won the WWE Tag Team Championship. He also made his debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), where he was one-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions, and former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion. Matt is known for his high flying, lucha libre-inspired style of wrestling, and was named the Wrestling Observer Newsletter‘s Best Flying Wrestler in 2008. Learn more about Matt’s wrestling courses at www.sydojo.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 43 – Composing Dharma with Sean Callery | 30 May 2023 | 01:16:13 | |
Emmy-winning composer Sean Callery and David discuss true fearlessness, how Trungpa Rinpoche heard music, and the symphony of impermanence. Join David Nichtern and Robert Thurman to discuss teaching meditation and find out more about Dharma Moon and Tibet House's renowned mindfulness meditation teacher training: FREE ONLINE TALK In this episode, David and Sean dive into:
Links from this episode:
“What people have misunderstood about impermanence is, ‘Oh, it’s just nullifying and void, nothing exists, emptiness,’ but what we’re saying is there’s this rich symphony going on, and there is a pattern to it, but it will never be the same from one time to one time. That’s true every moment of your life.” – David Nichtern See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 42 – Mindful Homes with Anjie Cho | 17 May 2023 | 01:17:06 | |
Author, architect, and feng shui expert, Anjie Cho, joins David Nichtern to inspire listeners to revitalize their homes and their lives through the practice of mindful design. Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenow Join David Nichtern and Buddhist scholar Professor Robert Thurman for an online session on mindfulness, meditation and the Dharma Moon Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training program: dharmamoon.com/info-session In this episode, David and Anjie dive into: Redefining your relationship with your home through feng shui and Buddhist teachings Shifting the qi (life force energy) in your home to support your spiritual practices and creative endeavors How our inner environments are translated to our external environments The feng shui map, or Bagua House plants as teachers for different phases of our lives “The heart of this book is asking people to not look at feng shui as a checklist of things to do and things to fix in your life, but to open up to become more friendly with your home, to start to engage with your home, and to see your home as a living being that can be your ally in your healing process and teach you a lot.” – Anjie Cho About Anjie Cho: Anjie Cho is a creator of holistic spaces, specifically focused on designing architectural interiors, and teaching feng shui and meditation. She is the author of Mindful Homes [CICO Books 2023] and Holistic Spaces [CICO Books 2018]. Since 1999, she has been designing beautiful and nourishing spaces (inner and outer) with balance and harmony, informed by the ancient practice of feng shui and meditation. Her focus is to create nurturing and supportive environments, tailoring her practice to each individual’s specific needs. Anjie is a New York State Registered Architect, a graduate in Architecture from the College of Environmental Design at the University of California at Berkeley, LEED Accredited Professional, and certified feng shui consultant from the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program. She has trained as a meditation teacher and in shamanic healing modalities. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 41 – Infinity and Emptiness with Acharya Shunya | 11 Apr 2023 | 01:04:32 | |
Exploring Vedic principles in a modern era, Vedic scholar and Lineage Holder Acharya Shunya joins David Nichtern in a reflection on infinity and emptiness. Take part in a free online evening of exploration with Acharya Shunya and David Nichtern. Enjoy a presentation by Acharya Shunya titled “Awakening Goddess Saraswati with Mantra, Meditation & Sacred Visioning”, followed by a dialogue between her and David, and will conclude with an open Q&A session: LEARN MORE In this episode David and Acharya Shunya explore:
Today's podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenow About Acharya Shunya: Acharya Shunya is a truth-teller who facilitates authenticity, self-remembrance, and divine feminine pathways to awakening. The first female head of her spiritual lineage that traces its roots to 2,000 years ago in India, Acharya Shunya represents the ancient Vedic tradition of India in a way that is completely authentic, yet as relevant as possible to modern sensibilities and needs. Acharya Shunya is the author of three bestselling books Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom, Sovereign Self and her newest book - Roar Like a Goddess: Every Woman's Guide to Becoming Unapologetically Powerful, Prosperous, and Peaceful. In this book, Acharya Shunya honors her progressive Vedic roots while breaking the shackles of tradition to bring modern-day women, an inclusive, feminist spirituality. Find Links to Acharya Shunya's books and social media HERE "First comes emptiness. Only then, in that emptiness which is potent from divinity and spiritual consciousness, comes the seed. That seed becomes sound and that sound becomes form." – Acharya Shunya See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 40 – Entrepreneurship, Technology & Spiritual Practice w/ Justin Evans | 06 Feb 2023 | 01:05:45 | |
Tech wizard, entrepreneur, and practitioner Justin Evans joins David to talk about merging Buddhist wisdom with A.I. technology and business. Help others improve their mental and emotional well-being, reduce stress, improve focus, increase self-awareness and self-regulation -- all while deepening your own practice and understanding. Join Buddhist teacher David Nichtern and special guest Professor Robert Thurman for a free online program on Tuesday, February 14th at 6:00pm ET. Visit dharmamoon.com/beherenow for more info and to reserve your spot for the free info session! Learn more about Justin's Playfitt app: Website: https://www.playfitt.ca/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/playfitt_app/ Appstore: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/playfitt-daily-fitness-games/id1434731178 “The idea of a two-year practice is the depth of it—you get to go quite far into it. And so far the place in my life where I've had the great gift and opportunity to go far and go deep is in the entrepreneurial stuff.” – Justin Evans See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 39 – Chanting, Music, & Sri Siddhi Ma with Nina Rao | 19 Jan 2023 | 01:18:46 | |
Nina Rao joins David to share the clarity and wisdom of her Guru, Sri Siddhi Ma, and discuss chanting, music, Maharaj-ji, the Goddess, and Hanuman. Nina Rao is a devotional singer. She tours with Krishna Das, playing cymbals, singing, and acting as his business manager. Nina has two of her own albums, “Antarayaami – Knower of All Hearts” and “Anubhav”. Nina regularly leads kirtan, workshops, and retreats in her hometown of Brooklyn, New York and beyond. Transform your meditation practice with Dharma Moon's 1-on-1 mentoring program: 1:1 MENTORING “It's all about purifying. The practice is helping us drop all the stuff considered obscurations or kleshas to seeing clearly. If we see clearly we can understand. If we understand we can have a compassionate heart. With that compassionate heart we can feel our interconnectedness. Then what else is there to do in this body but feel that interconnectedness, feel that love, and share.” – Nina Rao NEW Meditation Series: Pause, Breathe, Be Here Now with Ram Dass, Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, Joseph Goldstein, John Lockley, Ram Dev, Trudy Goodman, Lama Tsultrim Allione—FREE January 16 to 25. Sit in true peace, love, and tranquility. Join thousands of people around the world for this collective meditation experience: onecommune.com/ramdass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Settling into Practice, A Buddhist View with Michael Kammers | 06 Jan 2023 | 00:25:29 | |
The CSM Podcast is back with a Dharma talk from David Nichtern about stepping onto the path of meditation and settling into practice. It is the new year, now is the time to sit down, settle in and dig into mindfulness and meditation practice. The question is, what are you doing that gets in the way of your practice taking root? In this episode, David offers wisdom that every beginning or struggling meditator needs to hear. Transform your meditation practice with Dharma Moon's 1-on-1 mentoring program: 1:1 MENTORING "There is another expression of practice, 'Hasten slowly and you will soon arrive.' There is a built-in tension between our momentum to try not to be where we are... and this instinct that is coming in just to settle in and be who we are; where we are; when we are. We are going to let that play out a little bit... We are not necessarily going to outsmart it - manipulate it and bend it to our will - and then on the other hand we are not going to be able to avoid it. Then you are in the sweet spot, and I think that is a kind of texture of practice that is very powerful." - David Nichtern NEW Meditation Series: Pause, Breathe, Be Here Now with Ram Dass, Sharon Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, Joseph Goldstein, John Lockley, Ram Dev, Trudy Goodman, Lama Tsultrim Allione—FREE January 16 to 25. Sit in true peace, love, and tranquility. Join thousands of people around the world for this collective meditation experience: onecommune.com/ramdass See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Fruitless Desires, A Buddhist View with David Nichtern & Michael Kammers | 12 Oct 2022 | 00:27:47 | |
David Nichtern and Michael Kammers weave tangible Buddhist perspectives on working with desire in the modern world. Discover more at Dharma Moon – David's mindfulness-based education platform offering Workshops/Courses, Teacher Trainings, Mentoring & more. "It's not inherently liberating to either repress desire or indulge it – it's how you work with it that's potentially liberating." – David Nichtern See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 38 – The Enneagram as Skillful Means w/ Susan Piver | 30 Sep 2022 | 01:17:26 | |
This week on Creativity, Spirituality & Making a Buck, drop into the world of Enneagram with returning guest, Susan Piver. Susan Piver has an international reputation as an exceptionally skillful meditation teacher. She teaches workshops and speaks on mindfulness, innovation, communication, relationships, and creativity. Susan has been a student of Buddhism since 1995, graduated from a Buddhist seminary in 2004, and was authorized to teach meditation in 2005. In 2012, she founded The Open Heart Project, the world’s largest online-only meditation center. Susan is also a New York Times bestselling author. Her newest book is The Buddhist Enneagram: Nine Paths to Warriorship. You can keep up with Susan on Instagram and Twitter. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Freedom From Doubt, A Buddhist View with David Nichtern & Michael Kammers | 09 Sep 2022 | 00:35:21 | |
David and Michael offer freedom from doubt, exploring its connection to relationships, uncertainty, meditation, leadership, accomplishment, and mistakes. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenow Discover more at Dharma Moon – David's mindfulness-based education platform offering Workshops/Courses, Teacher Trainings, Mentoring & more. "I was in a marriage for some time, but it led to me not being honest with myself because I wasn't really honoring the doubt and the fear. Fear and doubt are related. In that relationship, I was so afraid of it ending—even though it was unhealthy and the relationship wasn't even really a relationship at that point—but I couldn't acknowledge reality. I was afraid to, and that kept me stuck in the trap [of doubt], and it led to a lot of suffering." – Michael Kammers See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Precision, A Buddhist View with David Nichtern & Michael Kammers | 01 Sep 2022 | 00:34:17 | |
David Nichtern returns to get clear and precise about the Buddhist view on precision. In this special Buddhist View episode of the CSM Podcast, Michael Kammers and David Nichtern explore the concept of precision through the clear lens of Buddhism. Support podcasts like this through the Be Here Now Network 6th-Anniversary Fundraiser Drive - win tickets to the Ram Dass Legacy retreat in Maui, shop limited edition BHNNxBrunofsky merch and more: beherenownetwork.com/fundraiser Discover more at Dharma Moon – David's mindfulness-based education platform offering Workshops/Courses, Teacher Trainings, Mentoring & more! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| David's View: Creativity & Compassion with David Nichtern & Michael Kammers | 12 Aug 2022 | 00:36:30 | |
Michael Kammers and David Nichtern discuss the connection between creativity and compassion, offering insight into balancing artistry with wellbeing. Discover more at Dharma Moon – David's mindfulness-based education platform offering Workshops/Courses, Teacher Trainings, Mentoring & more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 37 - Rethinking the Dharma with Lama Rod Owens | 04 Aug 2022 | 01:07:39 | |
Lama Rod Owens joins David Nichtern to discuss rethinking the traditional approach to the Dharma on this episode of Creativity, Spirituality & Making a Buck. Lama Rod Owens is a Buddhist minister, author, activist, yoga instructor, queen, and author. His book, Love and Rage: The Path of Liberation Through Anger, is an LA Times Best Seller. Lama Rod Owens is considered to be one of the leaders of the next generation of Dharma teachers. He has a blend of formal Buddhist training and life experience that gives him a unique ability to understand, relate and engage with those around him in a way that’s spacious and sincere. He invites us all into the cross sections of his life as a black, queer male, born and raised in the South, and heavily influenced by the church and its community. Keep up to date with Lama Rod Owens on his Instagram or sign up for the email list on his website. "I show up in multiple spaces. I think that comes from this belief, or rather a commitment, to this idea that I just want people to be happy and resourced. That doesn't mean I want people to be Buddhist, it doesn't necessarily mean I want people to be meditators. I want people to have access to the resources they need to be well." – Lama Rod Owens See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 36 - Applied Dharma w/ Miriam Parker | 09 Jul 2022 | 01:14:30 | |
In this episode, David and Miriam have a vulnerable conversation about the nature of practice and how to apply it in our creative lives. Miriam Parker is an interdisciplinary artist who uses movement, paint, video art, and sculpture/installation. Her work has been influenced by her experience as a dancer, her study of Buddhism and phenomenology, and her connection to the free jazz tradition. Over the last 4 years, her personal practice has led her to complete over 35 weeks of solitary spiritual retreat. Miriam also completed a rigorous study of the 15 Foundational Buddhist Courses as offered through the Asian Classic Institute, which parallels the basic core of information that a Geshe (Doctor of Theology) learns at a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Miriam has been teaching meditation in NYC studios, non-profit organizations, and corporate settings for nearly 10 years. She has been imparting yogic techniques and physical trainings, both individually and in group settings, for nearly 7 years. To learn about Miriam’s upcoming events check out The Prana Life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| David's View: Mindful Leadership with David Nichtern & Michael Kammers | 01 Jul 2022 | 00:20:45 | |
Michael Kammers & David Nichtern offer perspective on the nature of freedom and how mindful leadership effects the systems we live within. This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenow In this timely David's View episode, Michael Kammers joins David for a discussion which dives into the importance of mindful leadership. Taking an honest look at our current leadership models in the United States, the Dharma Moon Duo offers insight into dancing and conflict resolution, ego and intention, capacity and dysfunction, as well as discernment, communication, and freedom. "A leader has to take a big aerial view of the whole situation and somehow become a transformer. A leader has to know how to transform energy—to not reject energy, to see people's gifts, to see their obstacles, and continuously re-orchestrate the situation so that people have a chance to grow." – David Nichtern See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 35 – A Mindful Headspace with Eve Lewis Prieto | 23 Jun 2022 | 00:54:20 | |
Eve Lewis Prieto of Headspace joins David for a conversation on merging ancient meditation techniques with modern technology. Evelyn Lewis Prieto is a mindfulness and meditation teacher, and Director of Meditation at Headspace. She has studied under the guidance of Andy Puddicombe and David Nichtern. She is passionate about blending these accent traditions with modern science and has experienced first-hand the value these practices can have, even in the darkest of times, which is what inspired her to also train as an MBSR teacher. As Director of Meditation for Headspace, Eve is responsible for growing the community of teachers, building out the meditation curriculum, and is herself one of the teachers in the app. For more on Eve, visit her instagram @MeditateWithEve, as well as her website MBSRwithEveandDee.com, and use her code Eve30 for a discounted Headspace subscription. Discover more from David at Dharma Moon – offering Workshops/Courses, Teacher Trainings, Mentoring & more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 34 - Worthiness and Empowered Humility with Pete Holmes | 19 May 2022 | 00:54:11 | |
This week on Creativity, Spirituality & Making a Buck, David Nichtern and Pete Holmes discuss worthiness and empowered humility. Pete Holmes is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and podcaster. You can listen to him on his podcast You Made it Weird with Pete Holmes or check out his new TV show, How We Roll. His recent book, Comedy Sex God offers a comedic and autobiographical philosophical inquiry on living a spiritual life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| David's View: Working with Strong Emotions with David Nichtern & Michael Kammers | 28 Apr 2022 | 00:26:55 | |
Michael Kammers joins David Nichtern to discuss working with strong emotions as a practice during meditation and in daily life. Dharma Moon’s 100 Hour Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training led by David Nichtern starts May 18: https://www.dharmamoon.com/summer-teacher-training See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 33 – The Three Marks of Existence | 22 Apr 2022 | 00:53:17 | |
David Nichtern shares Buddha's Three Marks of Existence—offering deep contemplation and prajna around interdependence, impermanence, & suffering. This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenow In this special episode hand-plucked from Dharma Moon's Mindfulness Teacher Training Program, host and monologist, Michael Kammers introduces a Dharma Talk from David Nichtern which dives into a timely contemplation on the three marks of existence—impermanence, non-self (interdependence), and suffering—three key foundations of the Buddhist view. "The whole thing leans towards Buddhahood, reality leans towards the realization of one's true nature and the true nature of the situation. It's never gonna leave you alone, reality will never leave you alone." – David Nichtern See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| David's View : "Who Am I?" with David Nichtern & Michael Kammers | 09 Apr 2022 | 00:27:28 | |
David Nichtern and Michael Kammers dive into a discussion on existence, perception, and temporality. This podcast is brought to you by BetterHelp. Click to receive 10% off your first month with your own licensed professional therapist: betterhelp.com/beherenow “Impermanence definitely seems to be real in what appears to be this ever-shifting presence that is our portal of experience.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| Ep. 32 - Fierce and Tender Wisdom with Mirabai Starr | 30 Mar 2022 | 01:09:56 | |
David Nichtern and Mirabai Starr chat about masculine versus feminine energy and shifting the paradigm of women in spirituality. Mirabai Starr is an award-winning author of creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature. She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialogue. A certified bereavement counselor, Mirabai helps mourners harness the transformational power of loss. Check out her latest book, Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics, and learn more at MirabaiStarr.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||
| David's View: The Three R's of Mindfulness Pt. 3 Reactivity with David Nichtern & Michael Kammers | 18 Mar 2022 | 00:31:03 | |
David Nichtern and his ‘pod-kick’ Michael Kammers return for a conversation about reactivity, how it is usually governed by the three Kleshas, and what it means to respond rather than react. Discover more from David at Dharma Moon – a website offering Workshops/Courses, Teacher Trainings, Mentoring & more.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. | |||